Heavenly Rewards: Living with Eternity in Sight. By Mark Hitchcock. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2019. 183 pp. Paper, $14.99.
Hitchcock is an associate professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. The book’s title immediately caught my eye, due to my interest in the doctrine of eternal rewards. The book begins with many outstanding statements about this topic.
The author says that he began to earnestly study the NT teachings about the Judgment Seat of Christ and the rewards given there (p. 7). Rewards are God’s idea––there is a long list of NT passages teaching that there will be rewards in heaven (pp. 12-20). In the coming kingdom there will be differences among God’s people—differences that will exist not only during the Millennial Kingdom, but throughout eternity. This should be of enormous importance to us.
Though all of that is true, Hitchcock’s conclusion is confusing. He says that we serve the Lord, but not for the reward. However, he also says that working for rewards is Biblical (p. 21). It appears that he still labors under the misconception that working for rewards is selfish, although he recognizes that doing so is taught in the NT. It would have been better to simply say that we do indeed serve the Lord in order to be rewarded by Him. That is one of the motivations—an important one—for living a godly life.
Hitchcock also struggles with the relationship between rewards and eternal salvation. Unfortunately, he states that a life of good works “inevitably follows” eternal salvation. Good works are the fruit of that salvation. He cites Eph 2:8-10 and Jas 2:12-26 to prove his point. God has given us a lifetime in which to do good works and will reward us according to whether or not we do them (pp. 29-31). Hitchcock does not see the inconsistencies between what he says about rewards on the one hand, and about the relationship between grace and works on the other.
Hitchcock rightly sees two future judgments. Only believers will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Unbelievers will appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (pp. 36-37).
At points throughout the book, Hitchcock presents an unclear or Lordship Salvation gospel. He says that the unbeliever needs to believe that Jesus saves him from his sins (p. 45). Because he believes that all true believers will persevere in good works, he sees the unfaithful servants in the Lord’s parables as being unbelievers (p. 99). They are cast into the outer darkness—which he says is a description of hell—and weep. Since no believer can be cast into hell, the unfaithful servants in these parables must represent those who only think they are saved. Hitchcock specifically mentions Zane Hodges as one who misinterprets these passages (p. 101). Hitchcock believes that all true believers will be faithful and will invest in the kingdom of God, but to different degrees (p. 103). The overcoming believers in Revelation 2–3 are a description of all believers (p. 71).
At one point Hitchcock describes being saved as a four-step process. First, one must admit that he is a sinner, but Hitchcock does not say to whom the admission should be made. Second, one must acknowledge that he can’t do anything to save himself. Once again, to whom this acknowledgement should be made is not stated. Third, one must accept that Jesus is the substitute for his sins. Finally, one must call upon the Lord. (p. 148). The simplicity of John 3:16 is lost in such a presentation.
Because, according to Hitchcock, only faithful believers are truly saved, only faithful believing people will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ. At this judgment there will be no rebuke, but only praise. The Lord will only address in any negative way good works done for wrong motives, and there will simply be no reward given for such works (pp. 46-47). The only remorse felt will be for the loss of rewards, not for a sinful or unfaithful lifestyle, since no believer could persist in such a lifestyle.
In chapter five, Hitchcock answers questions that might come up when one is confronted with the doctrine of rewards (pp. 57-74). He rightly points out that salvation cannot be lost, but that rewards can. Remorse for loss of rewards will not go on for eternity. Our lives before conversion will not be considered at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Hitchcock also correctly lists what some of the rewards will be, including being praised by the Lord (p. 76; 1 Cor 4:5). Rewards will impact how we co-rule with Christ (p. 77). Certain crowns will also be given out (p. 81). While he does not discuss it specifically, it seems clear that he believes all believers will rule with Christ.
In chapter eight, Hitchcock lists fourteen things that will be evaluated at the Judgment Seat of Christ (pp. 107-126). Many of these seem straightforward, such as how we treat and serve others. Others, however, have little Biblical support. For example, he says our rewards will also be determined by how many souls we have won for Christ and how passionately we have prayed.
Throughout the book, Hitchcock makes good observations about rewards. He says that the length of time one is a Christian will not necessarily determine his rewards (p. 136), nor will who one is, whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor (p. 137). God is a generous rewarder (p. 139). Hitchcock also correctly states that in the lake of fire there will be differences among unbelievers (p. 152).
This book is an excellent study of how a Lordship Salvation teacher tries to fit his understanding of eternal rewards into the doctrine of eternal salvation that cannot be lost. He knows that both are true, but finds contradictions. That is why many things said in this book are Biblically correct, while others are not. Hitchcock’s understanding of the gospel of eternal salvation will simply not allow him to see that there are unfaithful believers who do not serve the Lord. Not all believers will reign with Christ. Not all believers are overcomers. Many believers will be rebuked at the judgment. I recommend this book for those interested in a Calvinist’s struggle to deal with what the Scriptures plainly teach.
Kathryn Wright
GES Missions Coordinator
Columbia, SC